Charles Hood, local author

Pickens Portraits: volume 1

Author visit at the library- learn more about his new book.

Join us for a special local author visit — a unique opportunity to connect with the person behind the pages. During this visit, Charles will discuss the inspiration behind his new book, and share his writing process.

Guests can enjoy a live reading of an excerpt from the book, followed by a candid Q&A session.

Books will be available for purchase (cash only), all proceeds from the book sales go to Charles late son's guitar scholarship at YAM.

Book Summary:

Pickens, South Carolina. A small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a history far greater and more fascinating than its size might suggest. In this volume, the first in a series, Charles Hood brings that history to life through stories of a beloved minister, a church in crisis, schools and cemeteries, country doctors, a terrible tornado, the coming of Lakes Keowee and Jocassee, the timber industry, the postal service, hometown athletic heroes, a musical idol, a bygone teen institution, and even a modern-day Daniel Boone. Along the way, he also captures the lives of ordinary townsfolk, whose everyday labors, hardships, and celebrations shaped the character of the community as surely as its better-known figures and events. Rooted in archival research, photographs, newspapers, and local memory, this book offers a richly textured portrait of a community shaped by hardship, change, and enduring pride.

All royalties are donated to support Young Appalachian Musicians, ensuring that the proceeds stay local and help sustain the region’s living cultural traditions.

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